THE BANJO UKULELE FORUM
A blog about the Banjo Uke. Information, questions and photos are welcome. Please email me: stevebobs@hotmail.com

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Thursday, March 31, 2011

Decal Transfers
I've been interested in this topic for quite a while now and the local model train store here in Pasadena Ca. helped me out. As it turns out, the decals are an accepted part of model train restoration. What this means to them is that if the decals are missing, or in such a bad condition as to be illegible then it is considered fair game to replace them with new ones. I think in terms of banjo ukuleles there is so little nomenclature on these instruments that any sort of indication would be acceptable. I set out to find as many sources as possible and luckily I have a different model banjo uke that happens to have a transfer on it and it was in good enough condition to reconstruct in photoshop and print out on Ink Jet transfer paper that has a clear base. This paper is also made with white background and is available for Laser or Ink Jet printers. I'm sure there are those collectors that would cringe at the thought of a new transfer on a vintage instrument and to a certain extent I would agree. I think honesty is the best policy here and I plan to include the before and after picture on the auction when I sell this fine little banjo ukulele. Also, if you wanted to remove it, be my guest, just remember how it looks underneath, where the previous restorer took sandpaper or coarse steel wool to the transfer when they were removing the original copper colored spray paint. For me, I really like how it came out. It has a logo now, a branding. If you are interested in having one for your Gumby style Bruno Maxitone banjo uke, send me an email. I made some spares. I have a few other ukes that are missing most or a good portion of the original decals, and I plan on restoring the decals on those too.
the process is fairly simple. You need a good source like a photo or jpeg of the object. When you have it sized you can print it out, coat it with lacquer , soak it and apply it. After applying coat it again with lacquer and it is protected.